World Watches Middle East As Iran Calls Assassination Of Qasem Soleimani An 'Act Of War'

In what can add to the ongoing tension in Middle East, Iran on Saturday termed the assassination of General Qasem Soleimani as an ‘act of war.’ In an interview to CNN, Iran's ambassador to the United Nations Majid Takht Ravanchi said, "Last night they (the US) started a military war by assassinating by an act of terror against one of our top generals. So what else can be expected of Iran to do? We cannot just remain silent. We have to act and we will act." The shocking development has once again put spotlight on strained US-Iran ties. While US President Donald Trump defended the airstrike at Baghdad Airport, several US politicians have questioned the timing of the attack. From issuing travel advisories to its citizens, the US is also sending more troops in the region.

In a video statement, Trump said at his direction, the United States military successfully executed a flawless precision strike that killed the "number one terrorist" anywhere in the world. "Soleimani was plotting imminent and sinister attacks on American diplomats and military personnel, but we caught him in the act and terminated him,” he said.

"Under my leadership America's policy is unambiguous to terrorists who harm or intend to harm any American. We will find you. We will eliminate you. We will always protect our diplomats, service members, all Americans and our allies,” Trump said.

Trump said that the United States has the best military in the world. "We have the best intelligence in the world. If Americans anywhere are threatened, we have all of those targets already fully identified, and I am ready and prepared to take whatever action is necessary. And that in particular refers to Iran,” he said.

Meanwhile, a fresh air strike hit pro-Iran fighters in Iraq early Saturday, as fears grew of a proxy war erupting between Washington and Tehran a day after an American drone strike killed a top Iranian general. It came hours ahead of a planned mourning march for Iranian Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani and Iraqi paramilitary heavyweight Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, slain in a precision drone strike by the US in Baghdad on Friday.